Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

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Guidelines for Initial Calls

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GUIDELINES RELATED TO INITIAL CALLS TO ORDAINED/LAY DIACONAL MINISTRY

  1. Initial calls for ordained ministers shall ordinarily be issued by congregations, in support of congregationally based ministries. A Call to Special Service is not normally intended for an initial call to ordained ministry and may only be issued as such, by a Synod Council, upon approval by the Conference of Bishops.
  2. Initial Calls for lay diaconal ministers may be issued by a Synod Council as a Call to Special Service in support of specialized ministries.
  3. Compensation for all initial calls shall ordinarily be at a level that allows for participation in the ELCIC Pension and Benefits Plan. Exceptions to this rule may only be made upon approval by the Conference of Bishops as requested by a Synod Council.

Approved by National Church Council March 22, 2003